Stress-driven phase transformation and the roughening of solid-solid interfaces

The application of stress to multiphase solid-liquid systems often results in morphological instabilities. Here we propose a solid-solid phase transformation model for roughening instability in the interface between two porous materials with different porosities under normal compression stresses. This instability is triggered by a finite jump in the free energy density across the interface, and it leads to the formation of finger-like structures aligned with the principal direction of compaction. The model is proposed as an explanation for the roughening of stylolites - irregular interfaces associated with the compaction of sedimentary rocks that fluctuate about a plane perpendicular to the principal direction of compaction.